Wednesday April 22, 2026
Ministry of Information —
A recent study published in the journal Global Ecology and Conservation has shed new light on the Mekong giant catfish, one of the world’s largest freshwater fish, as it faces an increasingly precarious future in the Mekong River basin.
Native exclusively to the Mekong River, the Mekong giant catfish (Pangasianodon gigas) is a scientific marvel, capable of reaching lengths of up to 3 metres and weighing as much as 300 kilogrammes. Its habitat spans Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam, with historical ranges extending into southern China and Myanmar.
Once a symbol of the river’s immense biodiversity, this scaleless giant has seen its population collapse since the early 20th century. Experts attribute the decline to habitat loss, the disruption of migratory routes for spawning, and accidental capture by fishing gear.
The species is currently listed as “Critically Endangered” on the IUCN Red List and is protected under the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).